I sat with Barb Goode during the Paralympic Opening ceremonies last Friday. As tributes were paid to Terry Fox and Rick Hansen I couldn't help but reflect on Barb's pioneering role in breaking stereotypes toward people who are labeled mentally … Read More
Yearly Archives: 2010
Whatever Happened to ‘Thank You’? Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (2)
Recently we have had a large number of Throne Speeches; Budgets; and other Government announcements. Some of these have contained good news for the community sector but you would be hard pressed to read or hear about it. Have you … Read More
It’s Time: Combine Paralympic and Olympic Games
You have to be in Vancouver to appreciate this but one of the hottest questions in the mainstream media is, Why aren't the Parlympics part of the Winter Olympics? Public opinion is very clear – they should be. Paralympians shouldn't … Read More
Harper Government best Federal Champion Persons with Disabilities have ever had
I believe the Harper Government is hands down the most effective Federal champion people with disabilities and their families have ever had. The March11th ratification by Canada of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a … Read More
Archimedes and the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics
There is a 'back story' to the 2010 Paralympic Games that deserves to be publicized. Archimedes wrote; Give me a lever and a place to stand and I will move the world. That's what a group of British Columbia disability … Read More
My Guide to the 2010 Paralympic Games
The 2010 Paralympic Games begin officially this Friday March 12th. Starting immediately there is a lot going on – more than enough to interest the sports fan, party enthusiast or arts connoisseur! The combination of events will banish once and … Read More
Ottawa Throne Speech – Faint hope or Beacon for Social Innovation?
Wednesday's Federal Government Throne Speech ( https://www.speech.gc.ca/eng/index.asp ) contained a few paragraphs of 'social innovation' language for the first time. This is a welcome political blessing to the social entrepreneurs inside and outside government. I have reprinted the Throne Speech … Read More
Flaherty’s Budget Benefits people with disabilities and their families
Once again Finance Minister Flaherty has proven himself to be a friend of people with disabilities and their families. His establishment of the RDSP – a world's first – has not only, shifted financial resources directly into the bank accounts … Read More
Brian McKeever not a token Paralympian
Brian McKeever is an accomplished athlete and star Paralympian who qualified for the Canadian Olympic team by winning an able bodied 50 km. race in January. On Saturday he was told he was not chosen for one of the four … Read More
Sam Sullivan Canadian Ambassador to Vancouver Paralympics
Note: This is the first in a series of posts on the Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games. I have a particular interest since I am a Paralympic torch bearer and have been an active participant in 'leveraging' the Games to advance … Read More